Device provisioning

ABSTRACT

A network device includes a wireless transceiver configured to establish a bi-directional communication channel with a network gateway. The network device also includes a visible light communication (VLC) interface configured to establish a visible light communication channel with a configurator for the network gateway. The network device further includes a controller configured to operate with the configurator to execute out-of-band (OOB) provisioning of the network device for the network gateway, wherein data communicated on the visible light communication channel includes a portion of information related to bootstrap provisioning the network device with the network gateway using the device provisioning protocol (DPP).

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to device provisioning. More particularly, thisdisclosure relates to employing out of band (OOB) provisioning toprovision a network device.

BACKGROUND

In telecommunication and information technology (IT), provisioninginvolves the process of preparing and equipping a network to allow it toprovide new services to its users. Network provisioning or servicemediation, mostly used in the telecommunication industry, refers to theprovisioning of a customer's services to the network elements, whichincludes equipment connected in that network communication system. Theprovisioning process monitors access rights and privileges to ensure thesecurity of network resources and user privacy. As a secondaryresponsibility, provisioning ensures compliance and minimizes thevulnerability of systems to penetration and abuse and provisioningreduces the amount of custom configuration involved.

The Internet of Things (IoT) is the internetworking of physical devices,vehicles (also referred to as “connected devices” and “smart devices”),buildings and other items that are embedded with electronics, software,sensors, actuators and network connectivity that enable these objects tocollect and exchange data. The IoT allows objects to be sensed and/orcontrolled remotely across existing network infrastructure, creatingopportunities for more direct integration of the physical world intocomputer-based systems, and resulting in improved efficiency, accuracyand economic benefit. When IoT is augmented with sensors and actuators,the technology becomes an instance of the more general class ofcyber-physical systems, which also encompasses technologies such assmart grids, smart homes, intelligent transportation and smart cities.Each computing device employing IoT (referred herein as an “IoT device”)is uniquely identifiable through an embedded computing system and isable to interoperate within the existing Internet infrastructure.

IoT devices include home appliances (e.g., refrigerator, washer/dryer,cooking appliances, etc.), control devices (e.g., television tuners,thermostats, tools, etc.), vehicles and location devices (e.g., key orpet tags). As the proliferation of smart devices continues, IoT deviceswill continue to expand to other categories of devices.

SUMMARY

A first example relates to a network device that includes a wirelesstransceiver configured to establish a bi-directional communicationchannel with a network gateway. The network device also includes avisible light communication (VLC) interface configured to establish avisible light communication channel with a configurator for the networkgateway. The network device further includes a controller configured tooperate with the configurator to execute out-of-band (OOB) provisioningof the network device for the network gateway, wherein data communicatedon the visible light communication channel includes a portion ofinformation related to bootstrap provisioning the network device withthe network gateway using the device provisioning protocol (DPP).

A second example relates to a method for provisioning a network device.The method includes establishing a visible light communication channelwith a configurator for a network gateway. The method also includesexecuting a portion of operations of OOB provisioning of the networkdevice for the network gateway, wherein data communicated on the visiblelight communication channel includes a portion of information related tobootstrap provisioning the network device with the network gateway usingthe DPP. The method further includes establishing secure communicationbetween the network device and the network gateway through a wirelesstransceiver based on the portion of information related to the bootstrapprovisioning of the network device communicated through the visiblelight communication channel.

A third example relates to a configurator configured to communicate witha VLC interface to establish a visible light communication channel witha given one of a network device and a network gateway. The configuratoralso communicates with a wireless transceiver to establishbi-directional communication through a wireless medium with another oneof the network device and the network gateway. The configurator furtherexecutes a portion of operations for OOB provisioning of the networkdevice for a network gateway, wherein data communicated on the visiblelight communication channel includes information related to thebootstrap provisioning of the network device with the network gatewayusing the DPP to enable bi-directional wireless communication betweenthe network device and the network gateway

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a system for provisioning a networkdevice using a visible light communication channel.

FIG. 2 illustrates a timing diagram of a system executing a method forprovisioning a network device using a bidirectional visible lightcommunication channel, wherein the network device responds to a requestfor initiating the provisioning.

FIG. 3 illustrates a timing diagram of a system executing another methodfor provisioning a network device using a bidirectional visible lightcommunication channel, wherein the network device initiates theprovisioning.

FIG. 4 illustrates a timing diagram of a system executing a method forprovisioning a network device using a unidirectional visible lightcommunication channel, wherein the network device responds to a requestfor initiating the provisioning.

FIG. 5 illustrates a timing diagram of a system executing a method forprovisioning a network device using a unidirectional visible lightcommunication channel, wherein the network device initiates theprovisioning.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a system for provisioning multiplenetwork devices contemporaneously using a visible light communicationchannel.

FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart of an example method for provisioning anetwork device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This disclosure relates to provisioning a network device (e.g., anInternet of Things (IoT) device) using visible light communication(VLC). Device provisioning refers to the authentication of the networkdevice for a network gateway (e.g., a Wi-Fi router) through aconfigurator. In some examples, the configurator operates as a trustedauthentication source for the network gateway. In other examples, theconfigurator is not an authentication source for the network gateway,but provides information to the network device to identify a potentialauthentication source. In any such example, once the network device hasbeen authenticated with the network gateway, the network device cancommunicate on a network upstream from the network gateway. Out of band(OOB) provisioning refers to the process of executing at least a portionof the provisioning through a different communication channel than thecommunication channel employed to facilitate communications between thenetwork device and the network gateway. As some examples, a near fieldcommunication (NFC) channel is employed as an OOB communication channelto enable Wi-Fi communications. Other examples of OOB communicationchannels include Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication channels,Zigbee communication channels and quick response (QR) codes. Usually,the transceivers needed to enable OOB communication are relativelyexpensive, such that OOB provisioning is cost prohibitive for low-endnetwork devices.

The network device and the configurator disclosed in the presentdisclosure are configured to enable OOB provisioning with a visiblelight communication channel that is established through a VLC interface,such as a VLC transmitter (e.g., a light emitting diode (LED), a VLCreceiver (e.g., a photodiode), both of which are relatively inexpensiveand robust devices. In some examples, the visible light communicationchannel is unidirectional, wherein the network device is fabricated withonly one of the VLC transmitter or the VLC receiver and the configuratoris provided with the other of the VLC transmitter and the VLC receiver.In other examples, the visible light communication channel isbidirectional, such that the network device and the configurator areprovided with both, the VLC transmitter and the VLC receiver.Accordingly, the network device is provided with a VLC interface toenable a visible light communication channel for provisioning thenetwork device. Inclusion of the VLC interface obviates the need toinclude an expensive device to establish an OOB communication channel(e.g., a BLE transceiver, an NFC transceiver and/or a Zigbeetransceiver) or a user interface on the network device to facilitateprovisioning.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a system 100 for provisioning a networkdevice 104 with a visible light communication channel to enablecommunications on a network 108. The network 108 represents, in variousexamples, a public network (e.g., the Internet), a private network(e.g., a local area network) or a combination thereof (e.g., a virtualprivate network). A network gateway 112 gates access to the network 108.

Visible light communication (VLC) employs the visible light channel tocommunicate data at visible light frequencies between about 400 andabout 800 terahertz (THz) (780-375 nanometers). VLC is a subset ofoptical wireless communication technologies. In various examples, VLCemploys fluorescent lamps to transmit signals at 10 kilobits per second(kbit/s), or light emitting diodes (LEDs) to transmit signals up toabout 500 Mbit/s over short distances (3 meters or less). VLC is definedin standards set forth in the Institute of Electrical and ElectronicsEngineers (IEEE) 802.15.7 standard.

The network gateway 112 includes a wireless transceiver 114 (e.g., aWi-Fi transceiver) that is employable to communicate on a wirelessmedium 116. In some examples, the network gateway 112 controls data flowbetween the wireless medium 116 and a network 108. The wireless medium116 is implemented, for example, as a wireless local area network (WLAN)or any other wireless communication technology. In some examples, thenetwork gateway 112 is a hardware device that allows data to flow fromone discrete network (e.g., the wireless medium 116) to another (e.g.,the network 108). In some examples, the network gateway 112 isimplemented as a residential gateway. In other examples, the networkgateway 112 refers to a computer or computer application executing on acomputing platform that is configured to perform the tasks of a gateway,such as a default gateway or router.

In some examples, the network device 104 is implemented as an IoTdevice, such as a remote control, a meter (e.g., a flow meter, anaccelerometer), an appliance (e.g., a refrigerator, a washer/dryer), acontrol system (e.g., thermostat), etc. In some examples, the networkdevice 104 is headless, indicating that the network device 104 is devoidof a user interface. That is, a headless network device operates withouthuman interaction. The network device 104 includes a wirelesstransceiver 120 for communicating on the wireless medium 116. In someexamples, the wireless medium 116 is a Wi-Fi network, such that thewireless transceiver 120 is implemented as a Wi-Fi transceiver thatcomplies with wireless network protocols defined in the IEEE 802.11family of standards.

The network device 104 also includes a VLC interface 124 that isemployable to establish a visible light communication channel 128 withanother entity. In some examples, the VLC interface 124 includes atransmitter 125 (e.g., an LED, a photodiode, etc.), and in otherexamples, the VLC interface 124 includes a receiver 126 (e.g., aphotodetector or phototransistor). In still other examples, the VLCinterface 124 represents multiple devices, such as both an LED and aphotodetector. Stated differently, the VLC interface 124 represents atransmitter and/or a receiver.

The network device 104 includes a controller 132 that controlsoperations of the VLC interface 124 and the wireless transceiver 120.More particularly, the controller 132 communicates (transmits and/orreceives) data to the VLC interface 124 that is communicated on thevisible light communication channel 128. Additionally, the controller132 communicates data to the wireless transceiver 120 that istransmitted or received on the wireless medium 116.

In some examples, the controller 132 includes embedded instructions(e.g., an application) for communicating with a server 134 on thenetwork 108. For instance, in a situation where the network device 104is an IoT device, the server 134 provides a computing platform for anIoT hub. In some examples, the network device 104 is fabricated withoutthe information needed to interact with the server 134.

In the present example, device provisioning includes a process ofsupplying a device connected to the wireless medium 116 with credentialsneeded to enable the network gateway 112 to trust the authenticity thedevice sufficiently to allow the device to access the network 108 and tosecurely communicate with other nodes on the wireless medium 116,including but not limited to secure access to the network gateway 112.In the example illustrated, device provisioning involves providing thenetwork device 104 with the credentials (e.g., a public key, acertificate, a username, a password, etc.).

The device provisioning of the network device 104 is executed as abootstrapping operation, such as a bootstrapping provisioning operation.Bootstrapping, as used in the present examples, refers to a process thatneeds to execute before a resource-constrained network device, such asthe network device 104 can operate properly. Thus, bootstrappingprovisioning includes operations by which the network device 104acquires keys, network identifiers (IDs), network setting/operationparameters (e.g., communication frequencies, access technologies,protocols, network bandwidth, etc.) certificates (e.g., public keycertificates) and/or uniform resource locators (URLs) needed gain accessto the network 108 and/or securely communicate on the wireless medium116.

The system 100 includes a configurator 136 that that is included in thedevice provisioning process. As used herein, a configurator (includingthe configurator 136) is implemented as a logical entity withcapabilities to enroll and provision devices for device-to-devicecommunication or Infrastructure communication. In the exampleillustrated, the configurator 136 is implemented as a specializedhardware device, such as a controller with embedded instructions. Inother examples, the configurator 136 is implemented as an applicationoperating on a computing platform, such as a computing platform with anon-transitory memory and a processing unit. For instance, theconfigurator 136 is implemented as an application executing on a mobilecomputing device, such as a tablet computer or a smart phone.

In some examples, the configurator 136 includes a wireless transceiver143 (e.g., a Wi-Fi transceiver) to communicate with the network gateway112 through the wireless medium 116. In other examples, the configurator136 does not have an active channel of communication with the networkgateway 112. However, in either situation, the configurator 136 isauthorized by the network gateway 112 to control a portion (or all) ofthe device provisioning for the network device 104.

The configurator 136 includes a VLC interface 144 that is employable tocommunicate with the network device 104 on the visible lightcommunication channel 128. Similar to the VLC interface 124 of thenetwork device 104, in various examples, the VLC interface 144 of theconfigurator 136 includes a transmitter 146 (e.g., an LED) and/orreceiver 147 (e.g., a photodiode).

Conventionally, device provisioning is executed through communicationson the wireless medium 116 and/or with user input. For instance, in aconventional approach a user could enter credentials, such as a setservice identifier ID (SSID) and a key or password on a device (e.g., ata user interface) to cause the network gateway 112 to allow the deviceto communicate on the network 108. However, this approach is manuallyintensive, and requires the inclusion of a user interface.

In the example illustrated, the network device 104 is provisioned withOOB provisioning. OOB provisioning refers to a second channel ofcommunication to execute the device provisioning. For instance, in thepresent situation, if the wireless medium 116 represents a first channelof communication (or a primary band), the visible light communicationchannel 128 represents the second communication channel (e.g., asecondary band). Accordingly, communications on the visible lightcommunication channel 128 are out of band relative to communications onthe wireless medium 116.

The network device 104 includes local credentials 158 stored in thecontroller 132. In various examples, the local credentials 158 includesa public key for the network device 104 and/or unique ID for the networkdevice 104, such as a media access control (MAC) address for thewireless transceiver 120 of the network device 104, a certificate (e.g.,a public key certificate), etc. The local credentials 158 are employableto uniquely identify and securely communicate with the network device104. In examples where the local credentials 158 includes a public key,the controller 132 also stores a corresponding private key that isemployable to decrypt information encrypted with the public key.

A device initiating the device provisioning protocol (DPP)authentication protocol is called an initiator, and a device that isresponsive to the initiator is called a responder. In some examples, thenetwork device 104 is the initiator and the configurator 140 is theresponder. In other examples, the configurator 140 is the initiator andthe network device 104 is the responder.

To provision the network device 104 for communications on the network108 and/or to securely communicate with other devices on the wirelessmedium 116, the network device 104 needs to be provided networkcredentials 148 (e.g., an ID, such as an SSID, a certificate, a publickey, a secret key and/or password for the network gateway 112) and/orprovisioning credentials 162 (e.g., a URL for a service, a username andpassword, a public key of the service, etc.). Moreover, to initiate thedevice provisioning of the network device 104, the VLC interface 124 ofthe network device 104 and the VLC interface 144 of the configurator 140are brought within close proximity (e.g., within 3 meters). In exampleswhere the network credentials 148 includes a public key of the networkgateway 112, the network device 104 employs the public key to encryptmessages that are decryptable by a corresponding private key of thenetwork gateway 112. In some examples, the network credentials 148and/or the provisioning credentials 162 are provided to the networkdevice 104 through the visible light communication channel 128 inresponse to the network device 104 providing the local credentials 158for the network device to the configurator 140 through the visible lightcommunication channel. In some examples, the network credentials 148and/or provisioning credentials 162 are provided to the network device104 through the visible light communication channel 128 without thenetwork device 104 providing the local credentials 158 for the networkdevice to the configurator 140 through the visible light communicationchannel 128. In other examples, the network credentials 148 and/or theprovisioning credentials 162 are provided to the network device 104 fromthe network gateway 112 through the wireless medium 116 in response tothe network device 104 providing the local credentials 158 of thenetwork device 104 to the configurator 140 through the visible lightcommunication channel 128.

Accordingly, by implementing the system 100, a low cost VLC interface124 is leveraged to implement device provisioning of the network device104. In particular, the VLC interface 124 of the network device 104 andthe VLC interface 144 of the configurator 140 are employed to providethe visible light communication channel 128 during secure OOBprovisioning techniques to provision the network device. Moreover, asnoted, in some examples, the visible light communication channel 128 isunidirectional and in other examples, the visible light communicationchannel 128 is bidirectional. However, in either such situation, theneed for an expensive OOB device, such as a BLE transceiver, an NFCtransceiver and/or a Zigbee transceiver is obviated without increasing arisk to security. Thus, the network device 104 is employable toimplement secure low-cost devices, such as a headless IoT device.

FIGS. 2-5 illustrate timing diagrams of examples of a timing of a system200 for executing methods for device provisioning using the OOB deviceprovisioning with the DPP authentication protocol. For purposes ofsimplification of explanation, FIGS. 2-5 employ the same referencenumbers to denote the same structures and functions. The system 200 isemployable to implement the system 100 of FIG. 1.

The system 200 includes a network device 204 that is employable toimplement the network device 104 of FIG. 1. The system 200 also includesa configurator 208 that is employable to implement the configurator 140of FIG. 1. Furthermore, the system 200 includes a network gateway 212that includes a Wi-Fi transceiver 214 that is employable to implementthe network gateway 112 of FIG. 1. Each instance of the system 200 inFIGS. 2-5 implement the DDP authentication protocol to execute OOBprovisioning to provision the network device 204 using bootstrapping.The network device 204 includes a Wi-Fi transceiver 216 that isemployable to implement the wireless transceiver 120 of FIG. 1. In someexamples, the configurator 208 also includes a Wi-Fi transceiver 220.The Wi-Fi transceiver 216 of the network device 204 and the Wi-Fitransceiver 220 of the configurator 208 are both employable to establishwireless communications with the Wi-Fi transceiver 214 of the networkgateway 212 through a wireless medium 222, such as a WLAN or anywireless communication technology.

As noted, in the DDP a device that initiates provisioning is referred toas an initiator, and a device that is responsive to the initiator isreferred to as a responder. In some examples, the network device 204 isthe initiator and the configurator 208 is the responder. In otherexamples, the configurator 208 is the initiator and the network device204 is the responder. The DPP authentication protocol dictates that theinitiator obtain a bootstrapping key of the responder as part of abootstrapping operation. In some examples, both devices in the DPPAuthentication protocol obtain each other's bootstrapping keys in orderto provide mutual authentication. After the authentication is completed,the configurator 208 provisions the network device 204 fordevice-to-device communication and/or for infrastructure communication,such as communication with devices on a network (e.g., the Internet)gated by the network gateway 212 and/or secure communications on thewireless medium 222. For example, as part of this provisioning, theconfigurator 208 enables the network device 204 to establish secureassociations with other peers in the WLAN 222 and/or nodes on thenetwork, such as a server (e.g., the server 134).

In the system 200, independent of whether the network device 204 or theconfigurator 208 initiates the DPP authentication protocol, the networkdevice 204 trusts that the configurator 208 only issues credentials todevices that have been authenticated at least as strongly as theconfigurator 208 authenticated the network device 204, that theconfigurator 208 issues credentials for the same purpose as for that itissued to the network device 204, and that the configurator 208 haspossession of a private signing key. The configurator 208 trusts thatthe public key included in local credentials issued to the networkdevice 204 belongs to the network device 204.

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrates a specific implementation of the system 200where the network device 204 and the configurator 208 include VLCs 224and 228, respectively. The VLC of the network device 204 and the VLC 228of the configurator 208 each include a transmitter (e.g., a photodiode)and a receiver (e.g., a photodetector) that are employable in concert toestablish a bidirectional visible light communication channel 232 (e.g.,the visible light communication channel of FIG. 1) between the networkdevice 204 and the configurator 208.

In FIG. 2, the system 200 implements a method 300. In the method 300 ofFIG. 2, the configurator 208 is the initiator of the OOB provisioningfor the network device 204 using the DPP authentication protocol. Moreparticularly, at 305, the configurator 208 outputs a bootstrapping scanrequest on the bidirectional visible light communication channel 232that is received at the VLC 224 of the network device 204. In at leastone example, the bootstrapping scan request includes channel informationfor the bidirectional visible light communication channel 232 (asecondary channel) and a bootstrapping key for the configurator 208. Forinstance, in at least one example, the channel information indicates atransmission power and information characterizing a payload size fordata communicated on the bidirectional visible light communicationchannel 232.

In response, at 310, the network device 204 (the responder), provides abootstrapping scan response and local credentials (or some subsetthereof) for the network device 204 on the bidirectional visible lightcommunication channel 232 that is received at the VLC 228 of theconfigurator 208. The bootstrapping scan respond and local credentialsincludes, for example, a public key of the network device 204, and aunique ID, such as MAC address assigned to the Wi-Fi transceiver 216 ofthe network (e.g., included in the credentials of the network device),etc.

In some examples, at 312, the configurator 208 provides a portion ofnetwork credentials to the network device 204, such as an ID and/or akey for the network gateway 212. More particularly, in some examples, at312 the configurator provides an SSID, a public key, a secret key and/ora certificate of the network gateway 212. Additionally, in response tothe local credentials, at 315 the configurator 208 provides the networkgateway 212 with enrollment information that includes the localcredentials (e.g., the public key and MAC address of the Wi-Fitransceiver 216) for the network device 204. Moreover, as indicated at320, bootstrapping operations are complete, and further communicationsare initiated on the wireless medium 222.

More particularly, at 325, communications through the wireless medium222 include additional device provisioning authentication information.The additional device provisioning authentication information includes,a secret key (e.g., a symmetric key) for the network gateway 212, acertificate for the network gateway 212 etc. The device provisioninginformation provided at 312 and/or 325 is stored as network credentialson the network device 204. Moreover, in various examples, the deviceprovisioning authentication data is provided to the network device fromthe network gateway 212, the configurator 208 or a combination thereof.At 330, the network device 204 leverages the device provisioning toenable network access, such that the network device 204 securelycommunicates with other nodes on the wireless medium 222 and/or a nodeon the network gated by the network gateway 212.

FIG. 3 illustrates the system 200 executing a method 400. In the method400 of FIG. 3, the network device 204 is the initiator and theconfigurator 208 is the responder of the OOB provisioning for thenetwork device 204 using the DPP authentication protocol. Moreparticularly, at 405, the network device 204 provides a bootstrappingscan advertisement on the bidirectional visible light communicationchannel 232. The bootstrapping scan advertisement includes abootstrapping key for the network device 204.

In response to receipt of the bootstrapping scan advertisement, at 410,the configurator 208 (the responder in the method 400) outputs abootstrapping scan request on the bidirectional visible lightcommunication channel 232 that is received at the VLC 224 of the networkdevice 204. The bootstrapping scan request includes, for example,channel information for the bidirectional visible light communicationchannel 232 (a secondary channel). For instance, the channel informationindicates a transmission power and information characterizing a payloadsize for data communicated on the bidirectional visible lightcommunication channel 232.

In response to the bootstrapping scan request, at 415, the networkdevice 204 (the initiator in the method 400), provides a bootstrappingscan response and local credentials for the network device 204 on thebidirectional visible light communication channel 232 that is receivedat the VLC 228 of the configurator 208. The bootstrapping scan respondand local credentials includes, for example, a public key of the networkdevice 204, a unique ID, such as a MAC address assigned to the Wi-Fitransceiver 216 of the network (e.g., included in credentials of thenetwork device), etc.

In some examples, at 418, the configurator 208 provides a portion ofnetwork credentials to the network device 204, such as an ID and/or akey of the network gateway 212. For instance, in some such examples, at418, the configurator 208 provides an SSID, a public key, a secret keyand/or a certificate of the network gateway 212. Additionally, inresponse to the local credentials for the network device 204, at 420,the configurator 208 provides the network gateway 212 with enrolmentinformation that includes the local credentials (e.g., the public keyand MAC address of the Wi-Fi transceiver 216) for the network device204. Moreover, as indicated at 425, bootstrapping operations arecomplete, and further communications are initiated on the wirelessmedium 222.

More particularly, at 430, communications through the wireless medium222 include additional device provisioning authentication information.The additional device provisioning authentication information includes,but is not limited to, a secret key (e.g., a symmetric key) for thenetwork gateway 212, a certificate for the network gateway 212 etc.Moreover, in various examples, the additional device provisioningauthentication data is provided to the network device from the networkgateway 212, the configurator 208 or a combination thereof. Deviceprovisioning information provided at 418 and/or 430 is stored in thenetwork device 204 as network credentials. At 440, the network device204 leverages the device provisioning to enable network access, suchthat the network device 204 securely communicates with other nodes onthe wireless medium 222 and/or a node on the network gated by thenetwork gateway 212.

FIG. 4 illustrates a specific implementation of the system 200 where thenetwork device 204 includes a VLC receiver 240 (e.g., a photodiode) andthe configurator 208 includes a VLC transmitter 244 (e.g., an LED).Accordingly, the VLC transmitter 244 of the configurator 208 and the VLCreceiver 240 of the network device 204 are employable to establish aunidirectional visible light communication channel 250.

In FIG. 4, the system 200 implements a method 500. In the method 500 ofFIG. 4, the network device 204 is the responder and the configurator 208is the initiator of the OOB provisioning for the network device 204using the DPP authentication protocol. More particularly, at 510, 515and 520, the configurator 208 provides a bootstrapping scanadvertisement on the unidirectional visible light communication channel250. In the method 500, there are three such bootstrapping scanadvertisements, but in other examples, there could be more or lessbootstrapping scan advertisements. The bootstrapping scan advertisementat 510, 515 and 520 includes a bootstrapping key for the configurator208 and channel information for the unidirectional visible lightcommunication channel 250.

At 525, the configurator 208 provides a bootstrapping scan advertisementand device provisioning information. In the method 500, the deviceprovisioning information includes an ID and/or key, such a SSID, apublic key, a secret key and/or a certificate for the network gateway212. As indicated at 530, bootstrapping of the network device 204 iscomplete and further communications are initiated on the wireless medium222.

More particularly, at 535, communications through the wireless medium222 include device provisioning authentication information. Theadditional device provisioning authentication information includes, butis not limited a secret key (e.g., a symmetric key) for the networkgateway 212, a certificate for the network gateway 212, etc. Moreover,in various examples, the device provisioning authentication data isprovided to the network device 204 from the network gateway 212, theconfigurator 208 or a combination thereof. The device provisioninginformation provided to the network device 204 at 525 and/or at 535 isstored in the network device 204 as network credentials. At 545, thenetwork device 204 leverages the device provisioning to enable networkaccess, such that the network device 204 securely communicates withother nodes on the wireless medium 222 and/or a node on the networkgated by the network gateway 212.

FIG. 5 illustrates a specific implementation of the system 200 where thenetwork device 204 includes a VLC transmitter 260 (e.g., an LED) and theconfigurator 208 includes a VLC receiver 264 (e.g., a photodiode).Accordingly, the VLC transmitter 244 of the network device 204 and theVLC receiver 264 of the configurator 208 are employable to establish aunidirectional visible light communication channel 270.

In FIG. 5, the system 200 implements a method 600. In the method 600 ofFIG. 5, the network device 204 is the initiator and the configurator 208is the responder of the OOB provisioning for the network device 204using the DPP authentication protocol. More particularly, at 610, 615and 620, the network device 204 provides a bootstrapping scanadvertisement on the unidirectional visible light communication channel270. In the method 600, there are three such bootstrapping scanadvertisements, but in other examples, there could be more or lessbootstrapping scan advertisements. The bootstrapping scan advertisementat 610, 615 and 620 include a bootstrapping key for the network device204 and channel information for the unidirectional visible lightcommunication channel 270.

At 625, the network device 204 provides a bootstrapping scanadvertisement and local credentials for the network device 204. In themethod 600, the local credentials includes a public key for the networkdevice 204 and a unique ID, such as a MAC address of the Wi-Fitransceiver 216 and/or other portions of the local credentials for thenetwork device 204. At 630, in response to the device provisioninginformation, the configurator 208 provides enrollment information forthe network device 204 to the network gateway 212. The enrollmentinformation includes, but is not limited to the local credentials forthe network device 204. As indicated at 635, bootstrapping of thenetwork device 204 is complete and further communications are initiatedon the wireless medium 222.

More particularly, at 640, communications through the wireless medium222 include device provisioning authentication information. The deviceprovisioning authentication information includes, but is not limited toan SSID of the network gateway 212, public key, a secret key (e.g., asymmetric key) for the network gateway 212, a certificate for thenetwork gateway 212, etc. Moreover, in various examples, the deviceprovisioning authentication data is provided to the network device 204from the network gateway 212, the configurator 208 or a combinationthereof. At 645, the network device 204 leverages the deviceprovisioning to enable network access, such that the network device 204securely communicates with other nodes on the wireless medium 222 and/ora node on the network gated by the network gateway 212.

As demonstrated in FIGS. 2-5, the system 200 is adaptable to provisionthe network device 204 in a number of different ways. In particular, insome examples, as illustrated in FIGS. 2-3, the network device 204 andthe configurator 208 communicate over a bidirectional visible lightcommunication channel. In other examples, as illustrated in FIGS. 4-5the network device 204 and the configurator 208 communicate through aunidirectional visible light communication channel. However, in eachsuch example illustrated and described, there is no need to include arelatively expensive BLE transceiver, an NFC transceiver and/or a Zigbeetransceiver. Additionally, in some examples the network device 204 isheadless (devoid of a user interface). That is, in some examples, thenetwork device 204 is controlled completely through automated software,such that the need for expensive (and potentially less secure) userinterface is obviated.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a system 700 for provisioning K numberof network devices 704 with a visible light channel to communicate on anetwork 708, where K is an integer greater than or equal to two. Thenetwork 708 represents, in various examples, a public network (e.g., theInternet), a private network (e.g., a local area network) or acombination thereof (e.g., virtual private network). A network gateway712 controls access to the network 708. The system 700 is employable toimplement the system 100 of FIG. 1 and/or the system 200 of FIGS. 2-4.

The network gateway 712 includes a wireless transceiver 714 forcommunicating on a wireless medium 716. The network gateway 712 isemployable to control data flow between the wireless medium 716 and thenetwork 708. The wireless medium 716 is implemented as a WLAN or anywireless communication technology. Additionally, in some examples, thenetwork gateway 712 includes a VLC transmitter 718 for providing datathrough a visible light communication channel. The network gateway 712is employable to implement the network gateway 112 of FIG. 1 and/or thenetwork gateway 212 of FIGS. 2-4.

The K number of network devices 704 are each employable to implementinstances of the network device 104 of FIG. 1 and/or the network device204 of FIGS. 2-4. In some examples, the K number of network devices 704are implemented as IoT devices. In some examples, the network devices704 are headless, indicating that the network devices 704 are devoid ofa user interface. That is, a headless network device operates withouthuman interaction. The network devices 704 include a wirelesstransceiver 720 for communicating on the wireless medium 716. In someexamples, the wireless medium 716 is a Wi-Fi network, such that thewireless transceiver 720 is implemented as a Wi-Fi transceiver thatcomplies with wireless network protocols defined in the IEEE 802.11family of standards.

In some examples, the network devices 704 also includes a VLC receiver724 that is employable to receive communication through a network devicevisible light communication channel 728 transmitted from another entity.In some examples, the VLC receiver 724 is implemented as aphotodetector. In other examples, the VLC receiver 724 is omitted.

The K number of network devices 704 includes a controller 732 thatcontrols operations of the VLC receiver 724 and the wireless transceiver720. More particularly, in some examples the controller 732 communicates(receives) data transmitted to the VLC receiver 724 that is communicatedon the network device visible light communication channel 728.Additionally, the controller 732 communicates data to the wirelesstransceiver 720 that is transmitted or received on the wireless medium716.

In some examples, the controller 732 includes embedded instructions(e.g., an application) for communicating with a server 734 on thenetwork 708. For instance, in a situation where the K number of networkdevices 704 are IoT devices, the server 734 provides a computingplatform for an IoT hub. In some examples, the K number of networkdevices 704 are fabricated without the information needed to interactwith the server 734.

In some examples, the device provisioning of the K number of networkdevices 704 is executed as a bootstrapping operation, such as using theDDP authentication protocol. The device provisioning characterizesoperations by which the K number of network devices 704 acquires keys,network IDs, certificates and/or URLs needed to reach the server 734.

The system 700 includes a configurator 740 that is included in thedevice provisioning process. In some examples, the configurator 740 isimplemented as a specialized hardware device. In other examples, theconfigurator 740 is implemented as an application operating on acomputing platform, such as an application executing on a mobile device(e.g., a smart phone or a tablet computer). The configurator 740 isemployable to implement the configurator 140 of FIG. 1 and/or theconfigurator 208 of FIGS. 2-4.

In some examples, the configurator 740 includes a wireless transceiver742 for communicating on the wireless medium 716. Additionally, in someexamples, the configurator 740 includes a VLC transmitter 744 (e.g., aphotodiode) that is employable to communicate with the K number ofnetwork devices 704 on the network visible light communication channel728. Furthermore, in some examples, the configurator 740 includes a VLCreceiver 746 for receiving data transmitted by the VLC transmitter 717of the network gateway 712 through a configurator visible lightcommunication channel 750. In other examples, the configurator 740 doesnot have an active channel of communication with the network gateway712. However, in any such situation, the configurator 740 is authorizedby the network gateway 712 to control a portion (or all) of the deviceprovisioning for the K number of network devices 704.

In a first example, the K number of network devices 704 are provisionedwith OOB provisioning, wherein the wireless medium 716 represents afirst channel of communication (or a primary band) and the networkdevice visible light communication channel 728 represents a secondcommunication channel (e.g., a secondary band). Accordingly,communications on the network device visible light communication channel728 are out of band relative to communications on the wireless medium716.

The K number of network devices 704 includes local credentials 758stored in the controller 732. In various examples, the local credentials758 includes a public key for the network devices 704, a certificate forthe respective network devices 704 and/or a unique ID, such as a MACaddress for the wireless transceiver 720, etc. The local credentials 758are employable to uniquely identify the respective network devices 704.

In the first example, the OOB provisioning of the K number of networkdevices 704 employs the configurator 740 as the initiator and thenetwork devices 704 as the responder. Moreover, the configurator 740 isconfigured to facilitate provisioning of the K number of network devices704 contemporaneously. That is, the configurator 740 is configurated tooutput data employable for provisioning the K number of network devices704 on the network device visible light communication channel 728 thatis received by the K number of network devices 704 at nearly the sametime.

To provision the K number of network devices 704 for communications onthe network 708 and/or to securely communicate with other devices on thewireless medium 716, the K number of network devices 704 need to beprovided network credentials 748 (e.g., an ID and/or a key, such as anSSID, a certificate, a public key, a secret key and/or password for thenetwork gateway 712) and/or provisioning credentials 762 (e.g., a URLfor a service, a username and password, a public key of the service,etc.) needed to access the server 734. In the first example, toprovision the K number of network devices 704, the configurator 740 andthe K number of network devices 704 employ the method 500 described withrespect to FIG. 4.

More particularly, in the first example, the configurator 740 provides abootstrapping scan advertisement on the network device visible lightcommunication channel 728. In some examples, there may be multipleinstances of the bootstrapping scan advertisement. In some examples, thebootstrapping scan advertisement includes a bootstrapping key for theconfigurator and channel information for the network device visiblelight communication channel 728. In some examples, the deviceprovisioning information includes an ID and/or a key such as SSID, apublic key, a secret key and/or a certificate for the network gateway712. In response to receipt of such information, bootstrapping of the Knumber network devices 704 is complete and further communications areinitiated on the wireless medium 716.

In a second example, the OOB provisioning of the K number of networkdevices 704 employs the configurator 740 as the initiator and thenetwork devices 704 as the responder. However, in the second example,the network gateway 712 communicates information related to bootstrapprovisioning the K number of network devices 704 through theconfigurator visible light communication channel 750. Thus, in thesecond example, the wireless medium 716 represents the first channel ofcommunication (or the primary band) and the configurator visible lightcommunication channel 750 represents the second communication channel(e.g., the secondary band). Accordingly, communications on theconfigurator visible light communication channel 750 are out of bandrelative to communications on the wireless medium 716. Moreover, in thesecond example, the configurator 740 is configured to facilitateprovisioning of the K number of network devices 704 contemporaneously.That is, the configurator 740 is configurated to broadcast informationemployable for provisioning the K number of network devices 704 on thewireless medium 716 that is received by the K number of network devices704 at nearly the same time. In the second example, the VLC receivers724 of K number of network devices 704 are not employed, and thus can beomitted.

More particularly, in the second example, the network gateway 712provides the configurator 740 with a bootstrapping scan advertisement onthe configurator device visible light communication channel 750. In someexamples, there may be multiple instances of the bootstrapping scanadvertisement. In some examples, the bootstrapping scan advertisementincludes a bootstrapping key for the configurator 740 and channelinformation for the configurator visible light communication channel. Insome examples, the device provisioning information includes an ID and/ora key such as SSID, a public key, a secret key and/or a certificate forthe network gateway 712. In response to receipt of such information, theconfigurator 740 communicates with the K number of network devices 704through the wireless medium 716 and executes bootstrap provisioning ofthe K number of network devices 704. More particularly, configurator 740provides the device provisioning information to each of the K number ofnetwork devices 704 through the wireless medium 716, Upon receipt of thedevice provisioning information, bootstrapping of the K number networkdevices 704 is complete and further communications are initiated on thewireless medium 716.

Thus, in both the first example, and the second example, communicationsthrough the wireless medium 716 include device provisioningauthentication information for the K number of network devices 704. Thedevice provisioning authentication information includes, but is notlimited to an ID and/or a key of the gateway 712, such as an SSID of thenetwork gateway 712, public key, a secret key (e.g., a symmetric key)for the network gateway 712, a certificate for the network gateway 712,etc. Moreover, in various examples, the device provisioningauthentication data is provided to the network device from the networkgateway 712, the configurator 740 or a combination thereof. In responseto completing the provisioning, the K number of network devices 704 areemployable to securely communicate with other nodes on the wirelessmedium 716 and or nodes on the network 708, such as the server 734and/or the network gateway 712. More particularly, in some examples, theK number of network devices 704 are provided with secure access to thenetwork gateway 712.

Accordingly, by implementing the system 700, multiple network devices704 are provisioned with OOB provisioning contemporaneously. Thus, insome examples of production environments, the K number of networkdevices 704 are provisioned prior to deployment. For instance, in thefirst example, in a situation where the K number of network devices 704represent IoT devices, the K number of network devices 704 are broughtwithin close physical proximity to the configurator (e.g., within 3meters) and the VLC transmitter 744 of the configurator 740 initiatesthe provisioning of the K number of network devices contemporaneously.Thus, after provisioning is complete, the K number of network devices704 are fully deployable without further human interaction.

In view of the foregoing structural and functional features describedabove, example methods will be better appreciated with reference to FIG.7. While, for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the example methodof FIG. 7 is shown and described as executing serially, it is to beunderstood and appreciated that the present examples are not limited bythe illustrated order, as some actions could in other examples occur indifferent orders, multiple times and/or concurrently from that shown anddescribed herein. Moreover, it is not necessary that all describedactions be performed to implement a method. The example method of FIG. 7can be implemented as instructions stored in a non-transitorymachine-readable medium. The instructions can be accessed by aprocessing resource (e.g., one or more processor cores) and executed toperform the methods disclosed herein.

FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart of an example method 800 for provisioninga network device, such as the network device 104 of FIG. 1 the networkdevice 204 of FIGS. 2-5 and/or an instance of the network devices 704 ofFIG. 6.

At 810, a visible light communication channel is established between thenetwork device and a configurator (e.g., the configurator 140 of FIG.0.1) for a network gateway (e.g., the network gateway 112 of FIG. 1). Insome examples, the network device establishes the visible lightcommunication channel, and in other examples, the configuratorestablishes the visible communication channel. In various examples, thevisible light communication channel is unidirectional or bidirectional.

At 820, the network device and the configurator operate in concert toexecute OOB provisioning of the network device for the network gateway.In such a situation, data communicated on the visible lightcommunication channel includes data for bootstrap provisioning thenetwork device with the network gateway using the DPP, such as the DPPauthentication protocol. In some examples, some of the data transmittedfor provisioning is communicated through a bidirectional wirelessconnection (e.g., a Wi-Fi connection) between the configurator or thenetwork gateway and the network device. In other examples, the datatransmitted for provisioning the network device is communicated throughthe visible light communication channel. At 830, the network deviceestablishes secure (e.g., trusted) communication with the networkgateway through a wireless transceiver of the network device based ondata communicated through the visible light communication channel.

What have been described above are examples. It is, of course, notpossible to describe every conceivable combination of structures,components, or methods, but one of ordinary skill in the art willrecognize that many further combinations and permutations are possible.Accordingly, the disclosure is intended to embrace all such alterations,modifications, and variations that fall within the scope of thisapplication, including the appended claims. Where the disclosure orclaims recite “a,” “an,” “a first,” or “another” element, or theequivalent thereof, it should be interpreted to include one or more thanone such element, neither requiring nor excluding two or more suchelements. As used herein, the term “includes” means includes but notlimited to, and the term “including” means including but not limited to.The term “based on” means based at least in part on.

What is claimed is:
 1. A network device comprising: a wirelesstransceiver configured to establish a bi-directional communicationchannel with a network gateway; a visible light communication (VLC)interface configured to establish a visible light communication channelwith a configurator for the network gateway; and a controller configuredto operate with the configurator to execute out-of-band (OOB)provisioning of the network device for the network gateway, wherein datacommunicated on the visible light communication channel includes aportion of information related to bootstrap provisioning the networkdevice with the network gateway using the device provisioning protocol(DPP).
 2. The network device of claim 1, wherein the visible lightcommunication channel is unidirectional from the network device to theconfigurator, and the controller is configured to provide the portion ofinformation related to the bootstrap provisioning of the network deviceto the configurator over the visible light communication channel, andthe portion of information related to the bootstrap provisioning of thenetwork device communicated over the visible light communication channelincludes a unique identifier of the network device and a key for thenetwork device.
 3. The network device of claim 2, wherein the controlleris configured to receive another portion of information related to thebootstrap provisioning of the network device through the bi-directionalcommunication channel with a wireless transceiver of the network gatewayto complete the bootstrap provisioning of the network device, whereinthe other portion of information related to the bootstrap provisioningof the network device communicated through the bi-directionalcommunication channel includes a unique identifier of the network deviceand/or a key for the network device and credentials for secure access tothe network gateway.
 4. The network device of claim 1, wherein thevisible light communication channel is unidirectional from theconfigurator to the network device, and the controller is configured toreceive the portion of information related to the bootstrap provisioningof the network device communicated over the visible light communicationchannel that includes a portion of network credentials comprising a keyand/or an identifier for the network gateway and credentials for secureaccess to the network gateway.
 5. The network device of claim 1, whereinthe visible light communication channel is bi-directional between thenetwork device and the configurator, and the controller is configured torespond to a provisioning request from the configurator through thevisible light communication channel to execute the bootstrapprovisioning of the network device, and the portion of informationrelated to the bootstrap provisioning of the network device communicatedover the visible light communication channel includes a uniqueidentifier of the network device and/or a key for the network device andcredentials for secure access to the network gateway.
 6. The networkdevice of claim 5, wherein the portion of information related to thebootstrap provisioning communicated over the visible light communicationchannel further includes a portion of network credentials forcommunicating with the network gateway, the network credentialscomprising a key and/or an identifier for the network gateway.
 7. Thenetwork device of claim 6, wherein the network device is configured toreceive provisioning credentials for accessing a service executing on aserver of a network gated by the network gateway.
 8. The network deviceof claim 1, wherein the visible light communication channel isbi-directional between the network device and the configurator and thecontroller is configured to initiate a provisioning request to theconfigurator through the visible light communication channel to executethe bootstrap provisioning of the network device, and the portion ofinformation related to the bootstrap provisioning of the network devicecommunicated over the visible light communication channel includes aunique identifier of the network device and/or a key for the networkdevice and credentials for secure access to the network gateway.
 9. Thenetwork device of claim 8, wherein the portion of information related tothe bootstrap provisioning communicated over the visible lightcommunication channel further includes network credentials forcommunicating with the network gateway, the portion of networkcredentials comprising a key and/or an identifier assigned to thenetwork gateway.
 10. The network device of claim 9, wherein the networkdevice is configured to receive provisioning credentials for accessing aservice executing on a server of a network gated by the network gateway.11. A method for provisioning a network device comprising: establishinga visible light communication channel with a configurator for a networkgateway; executing a portion of operations of out-of-band (OOB)provisioning of the network device for the network gateway, wherein datacommunicated on the visible light communication channel includes aportion of information related to bootstrap provisioning the networkdevice with the network gateway using the device provisioning protocol(DPP); and establishing secure communication between the network deviceand the network gateway through a wireless transceiver based on theportion of information related to the bootstrap provisioning of thenetwork device communicated through the visible light communicationchannel.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the visible lightcommunication channel is unidirectional from the network device to theconfigurator, and the establishing of the visible light communicationchannel further comprises providing, by the network device, theconfigurator via the visible light communication channel the portion ofinformation related to the bootstrap provisioning of the network device,and the portion of information related to bootstrap provisioning of thenetwork device communicated over the visible light communication channelincludes a unique identifier of the network device and/or a key for thenetwork device.
 13. The method of claim 12, further comprisingreceiving, by the network device, another portion of information relatedto the bootstrap provisioning of the network device that includes aportion of network credentials for communicating with the networkgateway through the bi-directional communication channel between thewireless transceiver of the network device and a wireless transceiver ofthe network gateway to complete the bootstrap provisioning of thenetwork device, the other portion of information related to thebootstrap provisioning of the network device communicated through thebi-directional communication channel includes a unique identifier of thenetwork device and/or a key for the network device and credentials forsecure access to the network gateway.
 14. The method of claim 11,wherein the visible light communication channel is unidirectional fromthe configurator to the network device, and the method further comprisesreceiving, by the network device, the portion of information related tothe bootstrap provisioning of the network device through the visiblelight communication channel, and the portion of information related tothe bootstrap provisioning of the network device communicated over thevisible light communication comprising a portion of network credentialswherein the portion of network credentials comprises a key and/or anidentifier for the network gateway and credentials for secure access tothe network gateway.
 15. The method of claim 11, wherein the visiblelight communication channel is bi-directional between the network deviceand the configurator and the method further comprises responding, by thenetwork device to a provisioning request from the configurator throughthe visible light communication channel to execute the bootstrapprovisioning of the network device, and the portion of informationrelated to the bootstrap provisioning of the network device communicatedover the visible light communication channel includes a uniqueidentifier of the network device and/or a key for the network device andcredentials for secure access to the network gateway.
 16. The method ofclaim 15, wherein the portion of information related to the bootstrapprovisioning of the network device communicated over the visible lightcommunication channel comprises a portion of network credentials forcommunicating with the network gateway, the portion of networkcredentials comprising a key and/or an identifier assigned to thenetwork gateway.
 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising,receiving, by the network device, provisioning credentials for accessinga service executing on a server of a network gated by the networkgateway.
 18. The method of claim 11, wherein the visible lightcommunication channel is bi-directional between the network device andthe configurator and the method further comprises providing, by thenetwork device, the portion of information related to the bootstrapprovisioning of the network device through the visible lightcommunication channel, and the portion of information related to thebootstrap provisioning of the network device communicated over thevisible light communication channel includes a unique identifier of thenetwork device, a key for the network device and credentials for secureaccess to the network gateway.
 19. A configurator configured to:communicate with a visible light communication (VLC) interface toestablish a visible light communication channel with a given one of anetwork device and a network gateway; communicate with a wirelesstransceiver to establish bi-directional communication through a wirelessmedium with another one of the network device and the network gateway;and execute a portion of operations for out-of-band (OOB) provisioningof the network device for a network gateway, wherein data communicatedon the visible light communication channel includes information relatedto the bootstrap provisioning of the network device with the networkgateway using the device provisioning protocol (DPP) to enablebi-directional wireless communication between the network device and thenetwork gateway.
 20. The configurator of claim 19, wherein the networkdevice is a plurality of network devices and the configurator is furtherconfigured to communicate with the VLC interface to establish a visiblelight communication channel or communicate with the wireless transceiverto communicate through the wireless medium communication with theplurality of network devices to execute OOB provisioning of theplurality of network devices contemporaneously.